Hotel and resort operator Four Seasons has opened its newest property in Baltimore, US. The 256-bedroom Four Seasons Baltimore boasts a 10,00sq ft (950sq m) spa with eleven treatment rooms including several suites with private soaking tubs - and separate men's and women's relaxation areas, sauna and steamrooms. Featuring products and treatments by ESPA, the spa also has a large relaxation zone with two pools - including a year-round heated

Two properties in the Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico's eastern Caribbean coast have become the latest additions to Mélia Hotels International's (MHI) Paradisus resort brand. Paradisus La Perla, the brand's first adults-only resort, and Paradisus La Esmeralda share a common area called El Zocalo, which contains the Palapa activities centre and a theatre. A 20,000sq ft (1,858sq m) YHI Spa and Health Club also features as part of El

Park Hyatt Sydney, the 155-bedroom hotel overlooking the Australian city's iconic harbour, is to reopen in December following the completion of an extensive transformation project. The refurbishment has included a complete redesign of the hotel's facilities, such as the spa, restaurants and bars. Three rooftop suites have also been created on a new fourth level. Following its relaunch, Park Hyatt Sydney will provide a new-look spa designed to deliver a

New York, US-based Pryor Cashman LLP has confirmed its client, Castillo Grand, has been awarded US$44m (£28.1m, EUR32.9m) in its legal case against Sheraton Operating Corp. The New York State Supreme Court found Sheraton - part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts - breached a contract with the owner and developer of the former St Regis Hotels and Resorts. Castillo Grand's claim focused on a lack of "St Regis-style" in the

A new spa comprising seven secluded over-water bungalows, which is due to open early next year, is to form part of the Viceroy Hotel Group's newest resort in the Maldives. Viceroy Maldives overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers 61 villas around a lagoon, with The Spa at Viceroy Maldives to help reduce stress and renew the body, mind and soul. The seven bungalows are to feature five multi-purpose spaces, such

Marriott International has announced a new European design concept for the Courtyard by Marriott brand, as well as "significant" continental expansion plans for the business. Scotland's 194-bedroom Courtyard by Marriott Aberdeen and the 230-bedroom Courtyard by Marriott Cologne, Germany, are to be the first properties to debut the design in 2013. The Courtyard by Marriott European prototype model is based on a 170-bedroom, six-level property, which can be increased or

Vacation Villas at Fantasy World in Kissimmee, Florida, US, has unveiled its new US$6.2m (£4m, EUR4.6m) amenity area, which has been built by Winter Park Construction (WPC). The project included a 14,000sq ft (1,301sq m) activity building, which includes a fitness area with sauna and steamroom; banquet facilities; a game room; and a business centre. L2 Studios designed the new amenity area, which also comprises an outdoor zero-entry pool with

Nashville's historic 125-bedroom Union Street Hotel in Tennessee, US, is set to become the 27th property to join Marriott International's Autograph Collection in January 2012. The hotel, which will be the state's first to be incorporated into the Autograph Collection, is housed in the city's former L&N Railroad train station following a conversion in 1986. Real estate developers Turnberry Associates and Corner Partnership undertook an US$11m (EUR8.2m, £7m) revamp and

Jordan's Wadi Rum Resort and China's Zhang Da Qian Museum have been named among the second batch of winners at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2011. The second day of the three-day event saw four completed buildings and nine future projects pick up awards, which also included the Glacier Discovery Walk in Canada. Wadi Rum Resort, which has been designed US-based Oppenheim Architecture and Design, was named as the

Shore Hotel, owned and operated by the Farzam family, has opened its doors on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, US. The 164-bedroom hotel was designed by Gensler Architecture and includes a number of eco-friendly solutions, resulting in the property being awarded a Silver LEED certification. Energy and resource conservation programmes included the Southern California Edison Auto Demand Response system, roof mounted solar panels, INNCOM occupancy sensor system, storm-water management

St Regis Hotels and Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, is to open a new Yabu Pushelberg-designed property in Bal Harbour, Florida, US, on 19 January 2012. Housed in three 27-storey all-glass towers, the new St Regis Bal Harbour Resort will boast 214 bedrooms and suites and 307 residences overlooking an expansive section of beach. Yabu Pushelberg was responsible for the interior design of the guestrooms, with South

UK sports and cultural schemes have missed out at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2011, following the announcement of the first 12 winners from this year's event. The Pods (Andrew Wright with S&P Architects) and the Silverstone Wing (Populous) had been shortlisted in the sport category, but were held off by Germany's Max Aicher Arena. Built for this year's World Single Distant Speed Skating Championships and designed by Behnisch

RCC Associates has been chosen to carry out a US$12m (£7.5m, EUR8.7m) overhaul of the art deco-style Fairfax Hotel in Miami Beach, US, into a new boutique property. The transformation of the South Beach site is being fronted by Levy Family Partners and Heyat Hospitality Group, with a new name and further details yet to be announced. Facilities at the new-look hotel will feature a rooftop pool and a restaurant

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has opened its first Aloft-branded property in the UK with the launch of Aloft London Excel in the heart of the capital's Docklands today (31 October). The development, which is located adjacent to the ExCeL venue, includes 252 loft-style guest rooms; the w xyz bar; the re:fuel by Aloft grab-and-go food pantry; and the re:charge gym. Other facilities include the splash swimming pool and the re:mix

Nira Hotels and Resorts is to launch a new 70-bedroom glass-and-timber-built "mountain sanctuary' in the hamlet of Surlej, near Silvaplana, Switzerland, on 30 November. Located 5km (3.1 miles) from the wintersports resort of St Moritz, Nira Alpina will provide guests with views overlooking Lake Silvaplana and offers a "ski in, ski out" experience. Facilities will include the Nira Spa, which comprises five treatment rooms; an Aroma cabin; a steamroom and

Cloud-based business management software provider GramercyOne has launched GoSuite, a free booking and marketing tool aimed at small and medium-sized service businesses. Unveiled at the Street Fight Summit in New York City yesterday, GoSuite includes two products - GoBook and GoPromote - which have been designed to cater for a number of service providers from dance studios to personal trainers and tutors. The cloud-based software allows companies to book appointments

Sofitel Luxury Hotels, part of the France-based Accor Group, has announced the launch of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan in Egypt, following a three-year renovation. The property, which is located on the banks of the Nile River, is housed in a building dating back to 1899 and has hosted guests such as Sir Winston Churchill since it initially opened. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan is divided into two sections:

US-based hospitality operator Viceroy Hotel Group (VHG) has revealed that Abu Dhabi's iconic Yas Hotel will now be known as Yas Viceroy following the property's rebranding. It follows the announcement earlier this year that VHG had been chosen to operate the 499-bedroom property, which is owned by by Aldar Properties and is located at the heart of the Yas Marina Circuit. Facilities include the ESPA at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Hotel Le Bristol in Paris, France, has celebrated the completion of a EUR100m (US$139m, £87m) renovation programme with the opening of a new spa in conjunction with La Prairie. Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, along with two new signature suites and a new-look three-star Michelin restaurant Epicure, formerly Gastronomique, marked the final phase of the project. The spa boasts eight beauty treatment cabins; a Russian Wet Room with one

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (HHC) has launched its new Andaz Shanghai property in China, which is located in the Xintiandi entertainment area of downtown Shanghai. The 307-bedroom hotel occupies a 28-storey building and includes the Andaz Lounge, Hai Pai and Éclair dining experiences; a translucent indoor pool; and a 24-hour fitness suite. Meanwhile, the new 2,200sq m (23,681sq ft) Optime Spa is to open during Q1 2012 and is to comprise

Great Hotels of the World has announced the opening of the US$1.8m (EUR1.3m, £1.1m) Syna Tiger Resort in Bandhavgarh, India, after four years in development. The resort covers 437sq km (169sq miles) of land on the edge of the Bandhavgarh National Park and includes the Wildwood Spa, which comprises two elements. A 400sq ft (37.2sq m) structure with two treatment rooms forms the first element of the new spa, while

The 129-bedroom Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea and Spa has been relaunched in north-west France, following a major revamp led by Paris-based hospitality architects Studio MHNA. The complex specialises in slimming breaks focused on healthy eating and the thalassotherapy institute – a flagship 5,000sq m (53,280sq ft) facility that has been completely redesigned. A stand-out feature is a 25m heated (29˚c) seawater pool that is encased in glass and has ocean

The opening of the new EUR35.5m (£31m, US$49m) Rácz Hotel and Thermal Spa in Budapest, Hungary, has been pushed back "towards the beginning of 2012". Initially due to open during the third quarter of 2010, the 67-bedroom hotel is to feature an 8,000sq m (86,111sq ft) Thermal Spa. The spa will include refurbished parts of the historic Rácz Thermal Bath – a UNESCO World Heritage site – that was once

Australian designer Joost Bakker will launch his first overseas Greenhouse restaurant in London, UK next year. The sustainable restaurant concept first opened in Perth in 2009 and has gathered momentum following a pop-up restaurant that operated for six weeks at Sydney's harbourside in March 2011. As well as the UK launch, permanent sites are currently being planned for Sydney and Melbourne. The London restaurant is scheduled to open by mid-2012.

A new boutique facility called Akatsuki has opened on a secluded beach on the island of Koh Samui Designed by Tokyo-based architect Riccardo Tossani, the private luxury resort is built entirely from recycled wood and uses natural ventilation and shade for guest comfort. Catering for small groups or business events, the resort has a dining pavilion with large beach-side deck, a more relaxed living pavilion and a pavilion with conference

Giraffe has unveiled a new cafe concept, with an interior designed to appeal to the cosmopolitan, adult all-day market. The style of the neighbourhood cafes are a departure from the bright orange and graphic-led art of the original brand. Giraffe founder Russel Joffe worked with designer Claire Nelson to introduce a colour palette of copper and yellows, with natural elements such as timber. Hampstead was the first to open, and

Hotel operator Yotel has launched in New York - the first city centre location for the brand. The new hotel offers 699 stylish cabin-style rooms, including three VIP cabin suites with private terraces and jacuzzis offering views of the Manhattan skyline. Designed by the Rockwell Group in collaboration with Softroom, the hotel also offers a lounge and bar with DJ booth, restaurant, gym, studio space for events and a 7,000sq